Ask yourself (and your family) these questions:
1. Do you have the time?
Caring for a dog takes a considerable amount of time every day. Daily exercise, socialisation, grooming, feeding, and providing company and attention are all important parts of dog ownership. If you are considering a puppy, you may also have to take on extra training to stop them barking all day and upsetting the neighbours.
You are also responsible for their health and wellbeing, which includes things such as vaccinations, flea treatments and visits to the vet. You also have to be on the lookout for ticks, and hazards in your home and garden.
Do you know how much a dog will cost over its lifetime?
2. Do you have children?
The younger your children are, the more supervision will be needed between them and any new puppy or dog.
Toddlers and puppies - how to help them (and you) survive!
3. How big is your home and garden?
The space you need obviously depends on the size and breed of dog, but you should carefully consider if your home is suitable and if this might change in the future.
4. Will dog ownership suit your lifestyle?
Your working hours, a busy social life and whether you take regular trips away are all factors that need to be carefully considered before buying a dog. Dogs thrive on human company and will always depend on you, so you must make sure that your lifestyle will accommodate them.
5. Do you or family members have any allergies?
Always talk to your doctor about getting a dog if there are any allergies in your family.
Once you’ve answered these questions, you can probably narrow your choice or even decide that dog ownership may not be for you!
If you are adopting a dog, age is also a factor; older dogs are more likely to be housetrained and may be calmer than a puppy. But they are also likely to be set in their ways!
If you have decided to take the plunge and add a dog to your family, here are more helpful tips:
How to stop your dog from digging up your garden
Why you should avoid feeding nuts to your dog
Home cleaning tips for dog owners
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